Dr. Jarl Eldon "Doc" Malwin

Dr. Jarl Eldon "Doc" Malwin (93) - a pillar of the Venice community, a devoted dentist, and a passionate fisher of men, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 28, 2026.

Doc was born on March 14, 1933, in Michigan City, Indiana. His father was a Norwegian immigrant from Stavanger, Norway and it was a heritage that Doc proudly claimed! The strength and resilience of that Norwegian heritage shaped his character throughout his youth, but it was his time at Indiana University that began to shape his heart. While Jarl was still completing his degree at Indiana University School of Dentistry, he began working as a lifeguard. It was there that he caught the eye of the lovely Beverly Ann White. Bev agreed to go on a date with him under one condition: that he would attend services at Hope Church with her. That very first service changed his life. He would often say that his “joy bells began to ring when he gave his heart to Jesus” after hearing that message on November 6, 1955. Those joy bells eventually led to wedding bells as the couple fell deeply in love and were married the next year on June 10, 1956.

In 1958, the young couple packed up and moved south to Venice, Florida, where Jarl became only the third dentist to practice dentistry in the area. Alongside Jarl’s deep commitment to his growing family and dental practice, he was also a man of deep curiosity and adventure. In the late 1950s, he and two close friends pioneered the search for prehistoric sharks’ teeth diving just off Venice Beach. They had no idea at the time that their underwater explorations would eventually help Venice earn its reputation as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World.” It was Doc’s love of history and discovery that also led him to dive in the rivers of Florida, often turning a diving trip into an opportunity to share his faith with so many.

But Doc’s greatest and most undeniable passion was sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ. His dental office was never just a place of work; it was a mission field where patients received both physical care and spiritual encouragement.

His heart beat for the lost, and he took the message of Christ wherever people gathered. In 1959, he co-founded Venice Bible Church, planting roots for a community of faith that continues to thrive through a myriad of people today. Soon thereafter, he started holding beach meetings on the sands of Venice Beach, as well as on the shores of Pentwater Beach in Michigan, near the family's beloved summer cottage. His ministry grew out of a pure love for people and when the weekly Bible studies in his own living room outgrew the space, they moved to Tiny Moore's house, seeing 85 or more people pack the rooms. Eventually, those gatherings moved to the Venice Beach Pavilion, where hundreds of lives were eternally changed as they came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Doc most certainly leaves behind a beautiful legacy of a life lived for Christ. So many people can testify of all of the lives that were changed for eternity because Doc answered God’s call to “go and makes disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20)

and he will be sorely missed by those who remain here. But praise God! We can be encouraged that we can grieve with the hope that we will one day be reunited in Christ and join him in singing “Agnus Dei - Lamb of God, For our Lord God Almighty reigns”.

Jarl was preceded in death by his beloved son, Jarl Malwin Jr.

He leaves behind a rich legacy of love and faith, carried on by his devoted wife of 70 years, Beverly Malwin,

his children, Knute Malwin, Kurk Malwin (Peggy), and Inger Dabney (Fred).

his cherished grandchildren, Ryan Malwin, Rees Malwin, Maci Loncar (Kyle), Madison Malwin, Dane Dabney (Cayleigh) and Tanner Dabney and his beloved great-grandchildren, Landon Malwin & Hudson Loncar, Dane Jarl (DJ) Dabney and Beckett Dabney.

His family, friends, and the countless souls he mentored will forever remember his booming warmth, his adventurous spirit, and his unshakeable faith. Well done good & faithful servant.

A celebration of Jarl’s life and ministry will be held at: The Bridge Church

2410 N River Rd, Venice, FL 34292

Friday, September 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chuck Swindoll’s ministry: Insight for Living; https://give.insight.org/